JONESBORO (AP) — A Republican candidate for a state Senate seat said he cannot overcome the 67-margin that separated him from the leader in a primary runoff, but a Democratic candidate wants to see if he picks up any votes in a canvass.

Ascent Children Services CEO Dan Sullivan says he will not contest balloting that made former AT&T manager John Cooper the GOP nominee for a Senate post from Jonesboro.

On the Democratic side, businessman Steve Rockwell leads Valley View Schools Superintendent Radius Baker by 24 votes. There are six provisional ballots pending. Baker says he will wait before conceding.

The Election Commission is set to certify vote totals Friday.

A special general election will be held Jan. 14 for the Senate post that Paul Bookout gave up amid an ethics investigation.